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Month of Stephanie: Guilty pleasure

Deep in the recesses of my music library, you might start to note some unusual patterns. Though many people know me as that girl that eschews Top 40 and leans heavily toward heavy metal and classic rock, I have a serious music secret.

Because this is the “Month of Stephanie,” I will share it with you now.

My guilty pleasure is … 1980s movie soundtracks.

And with no further ado, here are my top five:

5. TIE: The Breakfast Club (1985)

I have to admit, Pitch Perfect probably made me love this soundtrack even more.

Guiltiest track: “Fire in the Twilight” by Wang Chung

5. TIE: Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Where there is no Kenny Loggins, there is the late Glenn Frey.

Guiltiest track: “Neutron Dance” by the Pointer Sisters

4. Footloose (1984)

Kevin Bacon is everything, and so is this soundtrack. I could do without the schmaltzy “Almost Paradise,” but otherwise this is pure gold. And with any ’80s soundtrack, the more Kenny Loggins the better, and this one has TWO Loggins tracks.

Guiltiest track: “I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man)” by Kenny Loggins (I have no idea what the title means, but it works for the greatest cinematic sequence of teen angst vented through dance gymnastics.)

3. Rocky IV (1985)

I bought this one on tape as a kid, and as I slowly entered the 2000s, I couldn’t find a digital version and eventually forgot about it. Which means, after reuniting with it through iTunes recently, I get to rediscover its majesty all over again.

Guiltiest track: “Hearts on Fire” by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band (so many great ones on this soundtrack that I had a hard time choosing, but “Hearts” came out ahead of my favourite training montage of all time; also good to note, you’ll find a Loggins track on this soundtrack!)

2. Ghostbusters (1984)

Huh, just realized this could also be a list of some of my favourite movies. Anyway, aside from the ubiquitous Ray Parker Jr. title track–this soundtrack has so many gems.

Guiltiest track: “Magic” by Mick Smiley (wait until the 2:19 mark for the familiar part)

1. The Lost Boys (1987)

I frickin’ love this soundtrack so much that I’ve bought it twice on tape, once on CD and somehow lost it in my car, and again downloaded the album, and wouldn’t be opposed to buying it on vinyl. You might say I have a problem; I might say shut up, I like these songs.

Guiltiest track: “I Still Believe” by Tim Capello (featured in the best scene in the whole damn movie–hahahaha!)